Showalter on Roberts: "It will heal and he will play for us again"

Yamaico Navarro walked into the Orioles clubhouse around 11 a.m. today, carrying an equipment bag and bats. He's expected to stick around while Brian Roberts goes on the disabled list, but that move won't become official until Dr. John Wilckens reads the results of an MRI taken on the second baseman's right leg. "I keep reminding myself that Dr. Wilckens has other patients who are just as important, so when he's able to break away from that, he'll give us an idea of what we're looking at," Showalter said. "We're prepared both ways." As a professional courtesy, Showalter informed Twins manager Ron Gardenhire of the possibilities. "Ethically, we let him know," Showalter said. Navarro has a locker set up in the clubhouse in case Roberts goes on the DL. "I'm hoping that he takes a ride back to Norfolk," Showalter said. "Not because I don't like him. It would mean we got good news with Brian. But we just need to be prepared to go both ways." Navarro caught a ride to Baltimore last night. Triple-A Norfolk's opening game was rained out. Roberts, limited to 115 games the past three seasons, was looking forward to being introduced today and jogging down the orange carpet. Showalter is trying to push aside his own emotions. "Brian and I have talked about it many times," Showalter said. "I try not to live in that gloom and doom world. There's too many good things going on in our lives. Just because things are delayed doesn't mean they're denied. It's something that, regardless of what (the MRI) says, it will heal and he will play for us again. "That's one of the things you do in the offseason. We hope that Alexi (Casilla) and Ryan (Flaherty) can help us hold down the fort until he comes back. Obviously, we've had to do it before and it's just another challenge for, not only Brian, but our team." Moved down to ninth in the order, Roberts is 5-for-12 with a double and RBI. "He's off to a good start," Showalter said. "It's tough for him. I can imagine what's going through his head. But he's got his wife here, and we'll get through it. There are tougher things going on in this world than this, but I think everybody kind of feels for him because we know how hard he worked to get back to this point. But I know Brian. He'll overcome it and be a contributor for us here before too long. "I'm just hoping for good news on the MRI."